wapentake

Definition of WAPENTAKE

: a subdivision of some English shires corresponding to a hundred

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Origin of WAPENTAKE

Middle English, from Old English wǣpentæc, from Old Norse vāpnatak act of grasping weapons, from vāpn weapon + tak act of grasping, from taka to take; probably from the brandishing of weapons as an expression of approval when the chief of the wapentake entered upon his office — more at weapon, take